Ministries:
Adult | Teens | Children

Pastor's Pen's:
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Sermon Series:
Following Jesus
Earthly Cross
His Name Is
Apostles Creed
Dealing with Feelings
Jonah
Get Real
Promised Land Living

Grace Church
257 Kendall Street
Burlington, WI 53105

(262) 763-3021

Email:
Pastor Scott Carson

Secretary Patti Hall

PASTOR'S PENS 2006

Grace Church of Burlington March 26, 2006  “If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap into hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.”            Charles Spurgeon             It has to be the Christian’s greatest fear. What is it? Personal evangelism: simply sharing one’s faith with another person. The average Christian avoids it more than they do an IRS audit or an appointment with the dentist.             Sadly, some simply don’t care. They are so caught up with the temporary toys of this world or their personal agenda that they have forgotten their mission. Each of us are missionaries in our world and God left us here to win our world.             Others rationalize that God hasn’t opened the door or He has not yet led them to witness to someone. But we are to look for every opportunity and the Great Commission is not optional. In fact, the Great Commission is more clearly commanded in Scripture than going to church on Sunday.             Then, some have convinced themselves that they do not have the “gift” of evangelism. They tell themselves that they don’t know what to say or the lost person might ask a question that they don’t think that they can answer. Or, they believe that evangelism is the “job” of professionals like a pastor or a missionary.             Some are so caught up in and focused on “religious” non-essentials that they completely forget evangelism. They so use up all of their energy there, that evangelism is completely forgotten. They get all consumed in worship styles or the latest Bible study, or even what they are learning or what they need to learn...and they forget that God is not looking for “educated” Christians but evangelistic ones. While we are to be salt and light, some are so consumed with social issues that they neglect soul winning responsibility. Having the right President or Supreme Court Justice is not going to keep anyone from going to Hell.             We must continually remind ourselves that the Cross is central to God’s plan. Saving the world and sending His Son to die for our sins – redemption is God’s primary focus.             But we seem to do everything but participate in God’s plan. Be honest. Think about the last spiritual thing that you really got passionate about. Maybe some spiritual truth really got your attention or excited you. Maybe you learned something in an ABF or Bible study that you never knew. Perhaps even something happened in your relationship with another believer or at church that really ticked you off. (I realize that this is farfetched but perhaps the pastor said something that offended you ☺.) And you became very passionate...but when was the last time that you became passionate about a lost person going to Hell. When was the last time you shared the Gospel with someone? When was the last time you even prayed for a lost person?             Can you imagine going to a fancy restaurant and you order from the menu but they never bring you your order. Your table has a white linen table cloth. The plates are fine china and the silverware is exquisite and expensive. Fresh flowers and a candle are on your table. Live music is being played in the background but you are never served your order...not even a glass of water. So finally, you get ticked and ask the waitress, “Where’s my order?” And she says, “Well, we really don’t serve food here. We just want things to look nice and make you feel good. This restaurant is really about ambiance, not food. And haven’t you appreciated the beautiful decor?” You’d tell her she was nuts, stomp out and never go back. The primary purpose of a restaurant is to serve food. All the ambiance and decor will never make up for that. Yet too often the Church of Jesus Christ is like that restaurant. We get caught up with all the “ambiance” and forget our real purpose – that we are to make disciples.             So begin with praying for a lost friend. Then, look for an opportunity to share the Gospel with them. Invite them to come with you to Grace.  The Great Commission is our purpose. It’s our mission and our job description. Are you serving God faithfully in your part of the mission field?  Are you involved in evangelism?